Delhi High Court to Pronounce Verdict on Rakesh Asthana’s Plea Today; Alok Verma Appoints New Officer For Probe Against Special Director

The Delhi High Court bench of Justice Najmi Waziri had reserved the judgement on December 20, 2018, on various petitions after hearing submissions of counsel for the CBI, Asthana, Verma, Deputy Superintendent Devender Kumar, and Joint Director A K Sharma.

Kumar, earlier the investigating officer in a case involving Qureshi, was arrested in the case on October 22 and was granted bail a week later. Prasad was arrested on October 17 and he was granted bail on December 18.

Meanwhile, CBI DIG MK Sinha, who was supervising a probe against Asthana, recused himself from taking charge of the investigation. Thereafter, the CBI director held discussions with officers to review cases and appointed a new investigating officer, SP-ranked IPS officer Mohit Gupta, to probe Asthana.

Apparently, Sinha had alleged that Verma briefed NSA Ajit Doval on October 17 about registration of a case against Asthana.

According to Verma’s order of Thursday, IPS officer V Murugesan will continue as Joint Director of Anti Corruption Unit-III, which is probing the case against Asthana. After Sinha recused himself, CBI chief asked Deputy Inspector General Tarun Gauba to continue supervising investigations.

Verma resumed duties on the orders of the Supreme Court, which set aside the order sending him on forced leave, withdrew most of the transfer orders.